Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz speaks to the press at the site where a missile fired from Iran, hit in the central city of Holon. June 19, 2025. (Flash90/Chaim Goldberg)
Katz pledged that if Iran attacks Israel again, the IAF will respond with even greater force than what was shown in June.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking at the air force pilots’ graduation ceremony on Thursday, said that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) sent a clear message to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that Israel can and will strike again if necessary.
Katz said the pilots sent “a direct message to the dictator [Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei and the ayatollahs in Iran about the destructive power of the air force should Iran test the Jewish state’s patience.”
He added that Israeli officials who sought to harm Israel have “nowhere to hide.”
Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar said, “We bridged the challenge of 1,800 kilometers and transformed Iran from a ‘third circle’ [far] country to a ‘first circle’ [close] country.”
“The military campaign has not ended. We are ready to act again anytime it is needed,” added Bar.
Katz pledged that if Iran attacks Israel again, the IAF will respond with even greater force than what was shown in June.
Katz shared a personal anecdote that he grew up close to an airbase, and not only did the noise of the planes not disturb him, but they made him feel safe because they reminded him that he was protected.
He spoke of the bravery of the pilots, how they were reminded of the risks of being shot down and captured in Iran, and that they nonetheless were determined to protect their country.
According to Katz, they said, “We have no hesitations, we are determined to do everything we can to defend the State of Israel.”
The Defense Minister said the accomplishments of the Air Force were as monumental as Israel’s surprise aerial attack against Syrian and Egyptian forces in 1967.
Katz also vowed to continue to fight the Houthis in Yemen, who disrupt shipping and continually fire missiles into Israel.
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